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The Constant Gardener cover art

The Constant Gardener

By: John le Carré
Narrated by: Michael Jayston
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Summary

The beautiful Tessa Quayle is murdered near Lake Turkana in northern Kenya, the birthplace of mankind. And her putative African lover and travelling companion has vanished from the scene of the crime. Tessa’s husband, a career diplomat and amateur gardener at the British High Commission in Nairobi, sets out on a personal odyssey in pursuit of the killers and their motive. On his way he meets terror, violence, and conspiracy, but his greatest discovery is the woman he barely had time to love.

© 2001 David Cornwell (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd.

What listeners say about The Constant Gardener

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  • JG
  • 30-11-14

Emotional, addictive and typical Le Carre

What made the experience of listening to The Constant Gardener the most enjoyable?

The story is so leading. Having listened to a number of Le Carre's more traditional spy thrillers, this is a bit of a side step into international relations and politics, but it is just as tense, and more emotional because of the crime being investigated. You stay with the protagonist all the way through to the inevitable ending.

What other book might you compare The Constant Gardener to, and why?

If you imagine the storyline of a John Grisham set in the tense world of Le Carre's spys, this marries the two together. I really love it, although I found it very emotional to listen to. The protagonist is almost a younger less disillusioned Smiley

What about Michael Jayston’s performance did you like?

I love Michael Jayston's performance on this- there is a hint of a cautious observer, combined with passion that moves with the flow. I have listened to a number of his narration a of Le Carre's books and it always convinces me to get it.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It is a very emotional story, and a side step for Le Carre in this sense. Your heart does bleed for the protagonist, and having watched the film before listening to this, I knew the ending and was dreading it. Don't let this put you off- it's not overdrawn, but a necessary, inevitable resolution.

Any additional comments?

I really love this story! The narration is beautiful and the story moves in the way you expect a Le Carre to move.

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19 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent book, excellent narration

If you have high expectations of a John le Carré story, this book will meet them all. Complex characters and a complex story but held together with the masterly storytelling which defines this author. Michael Jayston's narration is the icing on the cake. I have read this book before in print and seen the film but because it was a while back, I had no problem immersing myself in the very believable story once more. A treat. So sad John le Carré's passing. He will be much missed by all of those, like me, who have enjoyed his books and awaited each new one eagerly.

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14 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A long way from Smiley, but just as excellent

I knew a little of the shadowy side of the giant Pharma corporations, and I new a little of the problems facing Africa in the form of TB and other serious diseases. Putting the two together and we in the west have yet more to be deeply ashamed of.

This is a beautiful and sad book with characters to love, pity and loathe. And all wrapped up in the typical Le Carre way. Perfect.



Michael Jayston narrates perfectly.

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14 people found this helpful

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One of Le Caras best

Slow start but great story Le Carrae captures the middle class mess of the foreign service perfectly

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13 people found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars

Long dry and unexciting

Persevered to the end but was so dry and hard going if it wasn't in my nature to keep going I would Hv quit after the first half hour. Interesting story concept. About 11 hours too long

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11 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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superb

JLC at his very best. a story full of intrigue and local history around the relationship between Africa and the UK and norw importantly in the 21st century Africa, commerce and corruption.. The complete love of money will never win in the end.

or will it?

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5 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Gripping story and thought provoking issues

Would you listen to The Constant Gardener again? Why?

Probably not. I rarely listen to stories again. Too many books, too little time! It's a brilliant listen though.

What did you like best about this story?

Plot, characters, ethical issues, quality narration, humour, dialogue, pompous Brits abroad exposed for their specious values...I could go on!

Which scene did you most enjoy?

Many very different and enjoyable scenes. A desperate escape in a car with no tyres was breathtaking, FO wives abroad are a well portrayed along with their husbands with double standards.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Think twice before you swallow that pill.

Any additional comments?

Great novelist, gripping plot, characters and dialogue. Outstanding narration with clearly discernible voices for each character.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Incredible disappointment!!

Besides the narration which was very good, I’m struggling to find anything positive to say about this book. I’ve read / listened to a number of JLC books so was aware of the occasionally drawn out and laborious style however the strength of the stories were always capable of providing a reason to put up with this sometime painfully over bearing approach; however not in this case.

The level of excessive context setting, rambling detail and unnecessary waffling is the only thing providing this story with actual content as there is literally no plot - or being more fair - a plot so paper thin and one dimensional as to make it completely pointless. I can only assume the characters are purposefully caricatures of ridiculous stereotypes - surely no one, not least JLC can have thought these were anything other than that; maybe he was trying to be ironic, but in the end I just found each character painfully frustrating and frankly stupid beyond measure.

Sorry, but if you are looking for an engaging thriller skip this entirely. Probably put me off further JLC books for good.

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3 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Best of le Carré

This is a must read. It is a very heartbreaking story, but amazingly told. The narration is also great.

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3 people found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

Very british

It wasn't exciting or edgy it just quietly worked it's way into my subconscious. A very moving story

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3 people found this helpful